Why should Christians seek things that are above after being raised with Christ?
Christians should seek things above because being raised with Christ gives them a new position and mental attitude. They are no longer seen in Adam but in Christ, so their affection belongs on heavenly things, where Christ sits at God's right hand, not on earthly things.
Les teaches from Colossians 3:1–2 that Paul writes to Gentile believers, and the same applies to believers today. Because they have been risen with Christ, they are to seek the things above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Les points out that Christ is not on the throne tonight and is not experientially the King of the Church; He is seated at the right hand of the throne. When He returns and sets up His kingdom, He will sit on His throne. Verse 2 commands believers to set their affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Earlier in the context, Les explains that when Christ died on the cross, every believer is taken out of Adam and placed in Christ. God no longer sees the believer in the cesspool of sin that was in Adam; He sees only the righteousness and holiness of Christ, because the believer is in Him. This risen position produces a whole new mental attitude, so the Christian’s focus is to be heavenly rather than earthly. Les notes that the Christian movement or community today has often set its affection on things on the earth instead.
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.